Moving performances launch Proms at St Jude’s 30th season

An invited audience of over 150 loyal and enthusiastic supporters celebrated the launch of our 30th season on Sunday 27th March at a music reception at St Jude’s. Guests of honour were the Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Alison Cornelius and her escort, Cllr Richard Cornelius.

 

World-acclaimed a cappella vocal ensemble VOCES8 entertained the audience with a repertoire that included Vincent and Underneath The Stars. The climax of the evening was the long-awaited première of The Innocents, a piece originally commissioned for Proms 2020. Commemorating the wartime sinking of the SS City of Benares taking evacuees to safety in 1940, it sadly has strong resonance today. The moving piece, conducted by its composer Patrick Hawes, was brought to life by the glorious voices of VOCES8 with the Finchley Children’s Music Group (FCMG).

 

“We are so pleased to have at last been able to see The Innocents performed,” said Susie Gregson, Proms founder, “and we can’t wait to hold a full live festival again this summer.”

 

The evening concluded with the Ukrainian national anthem, sung first by VOCES8 and FCMG, and then by the whole audience. A collection made for the Disasters Emergency Committee – Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal raised over £1,000.